Bhanuwat Jittivuthikarn
Beautiful portrait project by Bhanuwat Jittivuthikarn, a recent graduate from the School of Creative Art University of Melbourne with a combined degree in International Politics [interesting background well suited for photojournalism work]. The project depicts the happiness and the dignity, of elderly Tibetans that are poor in material possessions but rich in spiritual depth. These are Tibetans looking forward to receive the blessings from His Holiness Dalai Lama. Their smile is contagious, their happiness it is a reminder of what is possible when one has a positive soul.
March 10, 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, a day in 1959 when the Tibetan people rose up to defend their country and their leader against the military aggression of the People’s Republic of China. A week after this historic Uprising, Dalai Lama, spiritual and temporal leader of the six million Tibetans escaped into exile where he has remained ever since.
From 5-18 January 2009, I traveled to Saranarth, India to documenting the life of 45 elderly Tibetan refugee age between 60-80, whom for the first time in their life will have chance to receive private audience from His Holiness Dalai Lama. This project is organized and sponsor by Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation. This project actually begins from idea of Mr. Tenzin Losel a Tibetan social worker. Who have strong intention to bring these old Tibetan from his hometown a refugee camp in Main Pat to Dalai Lama teaching in Saranath. - Bhanuwat Jittivuthikarn
Amazing work for a highly important topic i must say.
but Is that their skin tone? it seems heavily photoshopped and it makes me feel the opposite way than i would expected upon the project’’s description.
Is it just me on this?
Thanks Ami. Not sure, but I bet there is photoshop involved at least to make the images quite contrasty … the contrast certainly accentuates the wrinkles and probably shifts the skin color to a darker tone.
Regards,
Miguel